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In May Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vt., signed the legislation requiring GMO labeling of foods that contain genetically-modified ingredients. Reached by phone, Attorney General Bill Sorrell said he has not seen the complaint but that state leaders had expected a lawsuit, adding that his office will zealously defend it.

In the complaint, GMA said the GMO law violates the U.S. Constitution by requiring manufacturers to take steps to label their products and comply with the state's deadline.

In a statement, the GMA said it filed the lawsuit along with the Snack Food Association, International Dairy Foods Association and the National Association of Manufacturers.

"Vermont’s mandatory GMO labeling law Act 120 is a costly and misguided measure that will set the nation on a path toward a 50-state patchwork of GMO labeling policies that do nothing to advance the health and safety of consumers," the company said in the statement. "Act 120 exceeds the state’s authority under the United States Constitution and in light of this, GMA has filed a complaint in federal district court in Vermont seeking to enjoin this senseless mandate."

GMA represents several hundred food and beverage companies.

Maine and Connecticut have previously passed laws requiring labels on genetically modified food, but they don't take effect until other states follow suit. Vermont's law takes effect in July 2016 without a requirement that other states go first.